The International Space Station was threatened by space debris last week but ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle saved the day by firing its thrusters to push the orbital outpost and its six occupants out of harm’s way.

ESA’s latest Automated Transfer Vehicle is set to dock with the International Space Station on Tuesday, delivering more than six tons of crucial supplies and scientific experiments to the orbiting research base.

ESA’s fifth Automated Transfer Vehicle is now scheduled for launch to the International Space Station at 23:44 GMT on 29 July (01:44 CEST 30 July) on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

NASA Television will broadcast live the launch and docking of the European Space Agency's (ESA's) fifth and final Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-5) cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station.